Tales From The Lonely Nacelle - Vol. 2

Posted on Wed Feb 19th, 2025 @ 4:41am by Major Chiyo Shimada & Lieutenant Tatsuo Shimada

1,230 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Younger Years
Location: Arizona desert
Timeline: Immediately after 'Tales From The Lonely Nacelle - Vol. 1'

Previously, on Star Trek: Tokyo:

"You know, Kisad;" He began. "These wings are on fire tonight; I'm going to go up to the bar and see if I can get another drink..."

As he stood up, he moved over to Kisad and leaned into the Bajoran man's ear.

"If all goes well, checkout time at the motel is at 1100 hours." He whispered. "Pick me up then, yeah?"

Kisad nodded. He could tell that the younger man's mind wasn't at all on test studying ever since they walked in, and Kisad understood and respected the want to "live while one was young." All the older man did was give Tatsuo a look of encouragement that read 'go get 'em, Tiger.'

And now, the continuation:

What the hell did Grant know what he was talking about?

It had only been a few days since Chiyo's now-former boyfriend had told her that she was high maintenance, and that he couldn't afford champagne tastes on a beer budget. Those words had shattered Chiyo's world; for she and Grant had grown close and bonded over their shared background: A situation that would have also proven favorable for her parents. For Grant was the head of Yates Transport Solutions, a competing freight company in troubled waters after his younger sister Kasidy had left to start her own business.

After many years of Yates being a thorn in Mabuchi Freight and Transport's side, Chiyo dating their CEO presented a unique opportunity to open talks of a merger with the now-struggling company. But Grant had thrown it all away, and Chiyo's parents were blaming her for the business opportunity slipping away, on top of the emotional damage inflicted upon her by Grant himself.

As a result, Chiyo had found herself crashing at a girl friend's place. She was hoping to just spend the time crying and eating chocolate until the pain went away, but Laurel, bless her heart, knew what Chiyo was going through; for there was a time that she had been told the same thing. Of course, Chiyo had the benefit of not being left pregnant and alone, unlike Laurel, who now had a daughter she had to look after.

Laurel knew that what Chiyo needed was a confidence-boosting trip. So, they had left Laurel's daughter to the care of her new boyfriend, Jim, and gotten together with a couple other mutual friends for a girls' night. They had dressed up real pretty and headed to a dive bar up the highway. Laurel said she had met Jim at this place, the latter being a Starfleet Lieutenant Junior Grade, and had told Chiyo that if a Starfleet Officer wanted her, anyone would.

But Chiyo had to admit: So far the night had been uneventful. It was great to sit where the great Christopher Pike allegedly once did, and admire what was supposed to be his handywork, but so far, hardly anyone had paid her heed. Of course, it wasn't entirely a bad thing, as she was able to catch up with her girl friends and they could shoot the breeze together, which was a liberating sensation in on itself, but Laurel's words kept nagging at the back of Chiyo's mind.

By about the third round of drinks, Chiyo had gotten used to the draft that was created by people coming and going, and didn't think much of it when she felt the draft while sipping on her third drink. But Laurel, ever the keen observer, even three drinks in, had grown a shit-eating grin as they nursed the third round to completion. About halfway through the third round, Chiyo had finally asked why her friend had become so smug-looking, to which Laurel pointed out that it seemed like Chiyo had an admirer.

"Yeah, right:" Chiyo giggled. "I'll believe it when he has the balls to come up and talk."

It couldn't have been too long after that remark, right after they ordered round four, when Chiyo heard a male voice on the other side of her ask:

"Another Coolant Leak, please?"

As the bartender fetched the requested beverage, Chiyo noticed her friends pointing beyond her, mouthing 'Chiyo, he's right there.'

Finally, Chiyo turned around to see the man that Laurel had pointed out, and she had glimpsed while his back was turned to her, now occupying the stool next to her. He wore a security gold uniform with three pips on it. However, Chiyo could easily identify it as a cadet uniform, and as such, his pips were likely indicative of his year. Three of them, so he only had one year left to go. Looking at him up close, Chiyo felt a whole 'beach bum' vibe from him. His face could take some getting used to, but there was something about him that almost knew he was way outside his league.

"Hello, there; beautiful." He said before Chiyo could say anything. "I, uh... Couldn't help but notice you from across the bar over there. I, uh... Came up her to say that, you're very beautiful, and... There's a nice motel just down the street: And I was wondering if, maybe if you're free tonight, we could head on over there after this and do it? Have some real hot, steamy sex?"

Calmy accepting the drink just placed down in front of her, Chiyo took a sip and set it back down.

"Well, space cadet:" She said in a playful, mocking tone. "You have a lot of nerve to walk up to a girl and drop cheesy ass pickup lines like that, not even hiding what you wanna do with me..."

Tatsuo's face sagged. Damnit, he knew he should have led with an innuendo! But how else could he have framed taking a girl to a motel to do?

Chiyo watched his face sag. She had him! Now, to pull the card that would make him believe he still had a chance...

"Lucky for you, however;" She continued. "I've just gone through a nasty breakup, so I'm a little more open to the idea than I normally am."

Tatsuo's face lit up.

"Wait, really?" He asked to ensure he heard correctly.

"Well, let's put it this way:" Chiyo clarified. "As long as you're not planning to take me over to the Alamo Springs Motel. I've heard that place is a dump."

"Alamo Springs? Nah, they don't even offer Starfleet discounts!" Tatsuo explained. "Trust me, the Flying Saucer is much nicer: You know, they actually have a deal with this place; if you show your room key, you can get a blooming onion on the house. I don't know how they make it work, but it's a crazy good deal."

Tatsuo and Chiyo chatted for a while as they both nursed their drinks; they introduced themselves so each knew who they were spending the night with. At long last, when both glasses were dry, the time came for the two of them to take their leave and head to the Flying Saucer Motel. Laurel told Chiyo that she would pick up her tab, and told Chiyo to have fun; and that they would reunite 'when (Chiyo was) ready'...

To be continued...

A mission post by

Cadet Junior Grade Tatsuo Shimada
Security Cadet

Chiyo Mabuchi
Civilian

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